Michael T. Mondak speaks about what needs to change regarding pro sports playoffs

For some sports fans like me, the playoffs can cause stress where we tend to eat more junk food than normal and drink more (whether alcoholic or not) than we normally do.  (I do not drink alcohol of any kind, by the way.)  The male fans could grow beards and not shave them until either their teams are eliminated or are crowned the champions.

However, in my book, there are certain things that professional sports leagues should change regarding the playoffs.  If I manage to piss off fans of certain teams, then I apologize in advance.

When it comes to the NFL playoffs, here is what should change:

  • Get rid of the seventh seed in each conference because they almost never win wild card games.
  • Any on field official who makes x amount of game changing officiating errors in one regular season should be deemed ineligible for consideration for officiating in the playoffs.
When it comes to the NBA playoffs:

  • Stop calling the first two rounds of the playoffs the conference quarterfinals or semifinals because I hate the use of those terms to describe such playoff rounds.
    • Use the generic terms conference first round and second round.
  • Create a separate trophy for the most valuable player for the entire NBA playoffs, even if it is a member of the losing team in the NBA Finals.
  • Award trophies to the winning teams in their respective conference finals series.
When it comes to the MLB playoffs:

  • Only umpires who have received the highest marks during the regular season should be eligible for consideration for officiating in the playoffs.
  • Add three additional wild card teams in the American League and the National League and force every division winner to play best of three first round series.

And finally, when it comes to the NHL playoffs:

  • Every Stanley Cup Finals game should be televised on ABC in the USA and the CBC in Canada.
Until next time, help in the fight against childhood cancers by contributing to the Four Diamonds Fund.  And please take care of yourself and each other.

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